Hi there. First the state of Utah is not well known among Hillbilly lovers. Sole artist I know from this state is RILEY WALKER. I already posted in a past « fortnight’s favorites » his great « Uranium Miner’s Boogie » (Atomic label – 1951? 1955? Impossible to date this, as it is so crude and primitive). Here I’ve chosen a second offering from Walker, less impressive, although almost equally good, on Atomic (# 703) , the amusing « It’s A Little Late« . Solid backing from his band, the Rocking-R-Rangers.

Let’s get back to the mid-sixties and NORMAN SULLIVAN (With The Country Rhythm Boys) on th ROTO label (unknown location), and a fine rendition of the Johnny Cash’s classic « Folsom Prison », given a Country-rock treatment. Could mid-sixties.

Then, from a definitely not as known as he deserves – I’ve named SARG records, out of Luling, Texas. This label issued many a fine Hillbilly/Rockabilly/Rock’n’Roll. You name? DAVE ISBELL, Neal Merritt, Herby Shozel, Eddy Dugosh, The Moods, Chester McIntyre, just a few of artitts on the Sarg label between 1954 and 1964. I’ve chosen the great DAVE ISBELL‘s « Let’s Do It Up Brown » (45-109), which has nothing to do with the Memphis’ Bud Deckleman song of the same name. More on SARG records on the pipeline!

Completely unknown to me, this PAUL CARNES, who apparently cut the record at his own expense on the P.R.C. (penned by Paul R. Carnes) label. I cannot suspect any location, neither date: 1957-1958, I’d assume, for the fabulous « I’m A Mean Mean Daddy« . Very crude vocal, sparse backing. That’s HOW a true rural Hillbilly should be sung and played!

A little more light shed on the COUNTRY COUSINS (Denny Buck and Harold Weaver), who cut the B-side (A- unknown to me) for the very rare Country Records out of Oklahoma City, apparently only on 78rpm. Hence his rarity. This could be from 1955.

Finally, back to Rocking Blues for a change. The nickname « Sonny Boy » was adopted by two big figures in Blues, the first (prewar harmonica artist) was from Chicago, and died in 1948; the second (rn Rice Miller, hailed from Mississipi) came North in 1954 to cut for Chess as « Sonny Boy Williamson« . A third, far less known, without douby capitalizing on the popularity of the others, called himself only « Sonny Boy Williams« . He came from Florida, and cut in Nashville for the Duplex label, late ’50s, this little opus, « Alice Mae Blues« . It rocks!

As always, envoy the selections, as I did preparing this feature. Don’t forget to go to « Contact Me » section: some records/books I am selling could be of interest to you. Till then, bye-bye!